Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Geothermal field of Arctic and Antarctic passive margins : the estimations of deep temperatures and lithosphere thickness of the continental slope and abyssal basins  (GTLAA)

Outline
The project is aimed to studying geothermal field and thermal evolution of lithosphere in Arctic and Antarctic regions in order to estimate deep temperatures, phase state of a substance, energetic effects of geological and geophysical processes, thermal conditions of catagenetical intervals; monitoring of endogenic influences upon the environment and paleoclimate reconstruction will carry on. Passive continental margins of the Arctic Ocean and seas, as well as Antarctic Region and Weddell, Lazarev, Spacemen, Riser-Larsen and Commonwealth seas are a «white spots» on the geothermal map of the World. Heat flow study will give new knowledges on lithosphere structure in these transition zones and the evolution of these zones, since conductive heat flow reflects tectonic processes of the geological past. Economic significance of the Arctic seas results from large oil-and-gas potential of the shelf and will grow in the future. Available investment resources are limited; therefore, cheap indirect methods take on special significance for carrying out geophysical research relevant to hydrocarbon searching. The Project includes the organization of research vessels cruises in Arctic and Antarctic regions in order to measure temperature and heat flow by special telemetrical probes. The survey will be carried on in the separate reference areas ("polygons") at short distances between the measurement sites. The results will be generalized as 3-D thermal tomographic images on the base of numerical modelling. These images will be transformed into a series of maps of temperatures and heat flow distribution at various depths. It allows us to predict the level of catagenetic transformation of organic matter and possible distribution of hydrocarbons. Besides, thermal modelling can estimate a depth of solidus temperatures which represents a lower boundary of thermal lithosphere.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The modern magnitudes and paleovalues of deep temperature and heat flow in the lithosphere of both the Arctic Ocean and seas, and the Antarctica and ajacent seas will be calculated and 2D-and 3D- geothermal models will be developed. Depths of potential hydrocarbons pools in sedimentary cover will be predicted by means of GIS-methodology. Planned works will allow to estimate deep temperatures and the lithosphere thickness in the subpolar transition zones. The set of maps and additional graphics illustrating thermal state of a sedimentary cover will be prepared.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with European and South American scientists. Programs and methods of data estimation changing.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Arctic sector in Barents and Kara Seas between 70-80°N and 20-80°E; The geographical area for the project encompasses Dronning Maud Land, East Antarcica between 5? ? 15? E.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/07-08/07      07/08-08/08      
Antarctic: 12/07-02/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
During Project carrying out will use Research Vessels "Academician Nikolay Strahov" and “Dalny Zelentsy” as well as additional field logistical support.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The data obtained on the thermal survey and monitoring of the sea bottom will be useful during exploitation of oil-and-gas deposits and pipe-lines construction.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - Russian Academy of Sciences.Federal Programme “World Ocean”Russian Antarctic ExpeditionOrganizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the IPY 2007/2008Russian Federation Natural Resources Ministry

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
YES

It is a new autonomous proposal.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Works under the Project will be organized and managed at a national level at coordination with plans of other national and international projects concerning to studying regions.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results of the project will be presented through reports, papers and web site. They will be used in the educational targets in the courses for geologists, geophysicists and ecologists. Students, post-graduate students and young experts will be involved in gathering and ordering of initial materials and their processing in digital formats.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data obtained after processing and analysing will be integrated into national and international databases under the concordance with countries or institutions that fulfil the analogous studies in the Polar areas.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed to fund the project through the Federal Programme “World Ocean”, through the Russian Academy of Sciences and through the Russian Federation Natural Resources Ministry.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Yuri Leonov
Geological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences
Moscox
119017
Russia

Tel: (095) 951-99-81
Mobile: no
Fax: (095) 951-04-43
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation